JP2012181589A - Print job management method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To individually change the content of print setting about a plurality of jobs with a simple procedure.SOLUTION: Even when a plurality of print jobs are selected on a list picture displayed on a display of an ink jet recording device, a detail setting display picture 250 on which the change content of the print setting of a print job is designated is successively switched for every print job so as to be displayed on the display. Thus, it is possible to individually change the content of print setting about a plurality of print jobs with a simple procedure without performing such any bothering operation as repeating operations of selecting print jobs as a target of the change of the content of print setting on the list of the list picture one by one, and designating the change content of the print setting of each of the selected print jobs as many times as print jobs of the change target of print setting.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print job management method and apparatus for accepting a change in the print setting contents of a print job stored in a memory and usable for print processing.

  In a system in which a user operates a terminal on a network to perform a printing process with a printer device on the same network, print jobs from the terminal are accumulated in a memory and sequentially printed in the order of accumulation. Also, the print job after the print processing may be stored in the memory in preparation for use again in the print processing.

  The print job stored in the memory in this way may be used for print processing by changing the contents of the print setting determined in the terminal. For this reason, there is a print job that can be changed in print settings later, for example, on the printer side. However, there is a troublesome problem when it is desired to change the contents of the print settings for a plurality of print jobs in the memory.

  In other words, if you want to change the print settings of multiple print jobs uniformly to the same content, you can simply select the multiple print jobs and enter the changed print settings, but the print settings for each print job If the changes are different, this method cannot be used. Should the change in the print settings for one print job be applied unintentionally to the print settings of another print job, it is very inconvenient for the user. This is also clear from the fact that there is actually a proposal for not accepting the change of the print setting contents when a plurality of print jobs for changing the contents of the print settings are selected (for example, Patent Document 1). .

Japanese Patent No. 4217356

  Therefore, for example, when it is desired to change the print settings of a plurality of print jobs to different contents in the proposed configuration described above, the procedure of selecting print jobs to be used for print processing one by one and changing the contents of the print settings is repeated. I have to do it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to execute a print job management method capable of individually changing print setting contents for a plurality of print jobs in a simple procedure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print job management apparatus suitable for use in the process.

In order to achieve the above object, a print job management method according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes:
In a print job management method for accepting a change in the print settings of a print job stored in a memory (for example, the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93 in FIG. 1),
A selection step (for example, step S1 in FIG. 2) for selecting a print job whose content of the print setting is to be changed from print jobs stored in the memory;
When a plurality of print jobs are selected in the selection step, a normal mode (for example, in step S29 in FIG. 2), in which the print job selected in the selection step is a print job to be accepted for accepting the change of the print setting content. A mode switching step of switching from the case of NO) to a sequential mode in which the print job to be accepted is sequentially switched to the individual print jobs selected in the selection step (for example, YES in steps S23 and S29 in FIG. 2). (For example, step S25 in FIG. 2);
It is characterized by including.

In order to achieve the above object, a print job management apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 2 includes:
In a print job management device that accepts changes to the print settings of a print job stored in memory,
Selecting means (for example, step S1 in FIG. 2) for selecting a print job whose content of the print setting is to be changed from print jobs stored in the memory;
When a plurality of print jobs are selected by the selection unit, the reception target print job is changed from the normal mode in which the reception target print job that receives the change of the print setting content is the print job selected by the selection unit. Mode shifting means (for example, steps S23 and S29 in FIG. 2) for shifting to a sequential mode for sequentially switching to individual print jobs selected by the selection means;
In the sequential mode, each time the acceptance of the change in the contents of the print setting is finished, the print job to be accepted is changed from one print job selected by the selection unit to another print job. Change means for changing (for example, step S25 in FIG. 2);
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the above invention, even if a plurality of print jobs whose print settings are to be changed are selected, the change of the print settings is sequentially performed for each print job. Therefore, it is troublesome to select the print job whose print settings are to be changed one by one and repeat the operation of specifying the change of the print settings of the selected print job as many times as the number of print jobs whose print settings are to be changed. Without performing the operation, the contents of the print settings can be individually changed for a plurality of print jobs with a simple procedure.

  In the print job management apparatus according to the present invention, the memory stores the print job (for example, “processing”, “waiting for instructions”, “end”, “box” in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93 in FIG. ), And the selecting means is configured to specify a target area for selecting a print job from among the plurality of areas of the memory. A print job as a transfer destination is determined in a priority order determined in advance for each area designated by the selection unit.

  According to the above invention, when changing the print settings of a plurality of print jobs individually for each print job, the rules for the print job accumulation order differ for each area of the memory in which the print jobs are accumulated. Even in this case, it is possible to unify the order in which the content change of the print setting is specified in a regular order.

  In the print job management apparatus according to the above invention, when the confirmation input for changing the contents of the print setting received for the reception target print job is performed in the sequential mode, the print job related to the reception target of the memory is stored. Update means for updating the contents of the print setting to the received change contents, and the print setting of the contents change received for the print job to be received when a print command is input before the confirmation input is performed The print job management apparatus may further include an output unit that outputs the print job for printing processing.

  According to the above-described print job management apparatus, the print processing by the print job according to the change contents of the accepted print settings can be performed without overwriting and updating the memory contents related to the print job to be accepted with the change contents of the accepted print settings. Can be executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change the contents of print settings individually for a plurality of print jobs with a simple procedure.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by a CPU of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the list screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detailed setting display screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen during printing displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen close confirmation screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a developing screen displayed on the display of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the print temporary stop screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the job deletion confirmation screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the print setting change preservation | save confirmation screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the client terminal of FIG. 1 performs based on other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the job list display screen displayed in the output part of the client terminal of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the job detail display screen displayed in the output part of the client terminal of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the job deletion confirmation screen displayed in the output part of the client terminal of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the completion screen displayed in the output part of the client terminal of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system according to an embodiment of the present invention to which a print job management method of the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer network system of this embodiment includes an inkjet recording apparatus 1 and a client terminal 14.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 1 reads a document image on a document and outputs an image signal, and prints the document image on recording paper (one side or both sides) based on the image signal output from the scanner unit 101 ( A printer unit 102 for recording) and a control unit 10 for overall control. A recording sheet used for printing an original image in the printer unit 102 is conveyed from a paper supply unit (not shown) to a paper discharge unit (not shown) via the printer unit 102.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10 is connected to an external interface unit 15 of a plurality of client terminals 14 to be described later (in FIG. 1, one client is representative). Are connected to each other. From each client terminal 14, the control unit 10 receives a print job of a document image. The control unit 10 generates raster data of the original image by the received print job. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 causes the printer unit 102 to print a document image on a recording sheet under the conditions specified in the print job.

  A display 110 is connected to the control unit 10. The display 110 is disposed on the upper part of the ink jet recording apparatus 1. This display 110 is used as an input operation unit or the like for a user to input copying conditions such as the number of copies and a copying magnification when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is used in a copying mode in which a document image set on the scanner unit 101 is copied and printed. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that causes the printer unit 102 to perform a printing operation includes a CPU 90. The CPU 90 controls the operation of the scanner unit 101 and the printer unit 102 according to the contents input and set from the display 110 based on the program and setting information stored in the ROM 91.

  The control unit 10 is provided with a RAM 92. In the RAM 92, a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10, the number of printed copies input from the display 110, various setting contents, and the like. Is stored from time to time.

  In the present embodiment, the print job is stored in an area named “box”. In addition to this, the print job is also stored in any of the areas “(Printing) processing”, “Waiting for instructions”, and “End (Printing processing)” divided by processing status for the print job. For example, a print job for which print processing has been completed is stored in the “box” and “end” areas. The print job stored in each of these areas is transferred and stored in a corresponding area of the external storage device 93 to be described later, triggered by the occurrence of an appropriate event such as printing specifying the target print job, for example. be able to. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the memory in the claims comprises a RAM 92 and / or an external storage device 93.

  The RAM 92 is provided with a frame memory area. In this frame memory area, raster data of a document image generated by the CPU 90 by a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10 is temporarily stored until it is output to the printer unit 102.

  Further, the control unit 10 is provided with an external storage device 93, and this external storage device 93 is connected to the CPU 90. The external storage device 93 is provided with a plurality of areas for storing print jobs transferred from the RAM 92 described above. The external storage device 93 stores various tables, counters, and the like. An example of a table stored in the external storage device 93 is a history data table.

  The history data table is a table in which a print setting change history is recorded for each print job stored in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93. The print setting elements for managing the history in the history data table include a printable area (image position adjustment) of the recording paper, a paper tray of the recording paper used for printing, a print density, and the like. The contents of the history data table are periodically updated under the control of the CPU 90.

  By the control of the control unit 10 described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can switch the mode relating to processing and operation. As one of these modes, there is a change mode for accepting a change in the print settings of a print job stored in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93. In the hierarchy below the change mode, there are two modes, a normal mode and a sequential mode, in which print jobs whose print settings are to be changed to the received change contents are different.

  The normal mode is applied when one print job whose print settings are to be changed is selected. In this normal mode, when the input of the change content of the print setting is received on the display screen of the display 110, the print setting of the selected print job is changed to the received content. On the other hand, the sequential mode is applied when a plurality of print jobs whose print settings are to be changed are selected. In this sequential mode, when the input of the change contents of the print setting is accepted, the print setting of one print job among the plurality of selected print jobs is changed to the accepted contents. Then, the print setting change target is switched to the next print job, and the print setting of the print job is changed to the print setting in which the input of the change content is accepted. By repeating this in sequence, the print settings of a plurality of print jobs can be changed for each print job.

  On the other hand, each client terminal 14 is configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like. The client terminal 14 includes a CPU 16 that executes various processes based on a control program stored in the ROM 17, a RAM 18 that functions as a working area of the CPU 16, an input unit 19 that includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a liquid crystal display Etc., and an output unit 20 composed of the like.

  In addition to the external interface unit 15 described above, an external storage device 21 and a disk drive 22 are connected to the CPU 16. The external storage device 21 stores an application program storage area for generating document image data, a printer driver program storage area for the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and a document image data file generated using the application program. A database area or the like for storing is secured.

  The external storage device 21 further has an area for storing a plurality of restriction information in association with the user ID of the user. Each restriction information indicates the contents of restriction on various print settings of a print job generated by the CPU 16 in response to a user's print request for each user. This restriction information is input to each client terminal 14 from the control unit 10 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to a procedure described later.

  The CPU 16 activates the application program in the external storage device 21 in accordance with the activation request input from the input unit 19, and the document image data having the contents instructed by parameter input from the input unit 19 is activated. Generate on application program. The generated document image data is displayed and output at the output unit 20, and when a save request is input from the input unit 19, it is stored in the database area of the document image data in the external storage device 21.

  The document image data stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 is read from the external storage device 21 when a read request is input from the input unit 19 while the application program is running. The read document image data can be displayed and output on the output unit 20, or can be processed on the application program and regenerated as new document image data.

  Then, the CPU 16 generates and generates a print job for a document image to be printed when a request for printing a document image whose file is opened by the application program is input from the input unit 19 while the application program is running. The print job is output from the external interface unit 15 to the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10. This print job can be output to the control unit 10 by the CPU 16 executing a printer driver program stored in the external storage device 21.

  The printer driver program can be read from the disk-shaped recording medium 50 such as an optical disk by the disk drive 22 of the client terminal 14 and installed (stored) in the external storage device 21.

  When the printer driver program of the disk-shaped recording medium 50 is installed in the external storage device 21, when a print request for a document image that has generated data on the application program started in the client terminal 14 is input from the input unit 19, The printer driver program is activated by the CPU 16.

  Even if the application program is not activated, a print request for a document image in which data is stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 is input on the OS (operation system) file list screen displayed on the output unit 20. When input is performed by the unit 19, the printer driver program is started in the client terminal 14 together with the application program used to generate the document image data.

  Then, the CPU 16 executes processing of the activated printer driver program using the file data of the document image to be printed opened by the application program, thereby generating a document image print job and outputting it to the control unit 10. To do.

  Next, a processing procedure performed by the CPU 90 of the control unit 10 in accordance with the program in the ROM 91 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, after the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is turned on and until the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is turned off, the CPU 90 periodically executes the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, the CPU 90 checks whether or not a print job is selected on the print job list screen displayed on the display 110 (step S1).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print job list screen displayed on the display 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The list screen of this embodiment indicated by reference numeral 200 in FIG. 3 is a screen that displays a list of print jobs stored in the “box” area of the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93.

  One or a plurality of print jobs on the list can be selected by touching the print job name on the list screen 200. When the all selection button 210 at the bottom of the list screen 200 is touched, all print jobs on the list are selected. When one or more print jobs on the list are selected, the selected print job names on the list are colored. Then, the delete button 220 and the detail display button 230 below the list screen 200 can be touched (pressed).

  A print job displayed in a list can be displayed by touching the buttons (tabs) 201 to 204 of “processing in progress”, “waiting for instructions”, “end”, and “box” on the list screen 200, or the RAM 92 or the outside. The contents of the print job stored in the corresponding area of the storage device 93 can be switched. The print jobs displayed in the list on the list screen 200 can be scrolled by operating the scroll buttons 205 and 206 beside the list.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a print job on the list on the list screen 200 is selected (YES in step S1), the CPU 90 deletes a delete button 220 and a detail display button 230 below the list screen 200. Can be touched (pressed) (step S3). Then, the CPU 90 confirms whether or not the detail display button 230 has been touched (pressed) (step S5).

  If the detail display button 230 is not touched (pressed) (NO in step S5), step S5 is repeated until it is operated, and if the touch is operated (YES in step S5), the detailed setting is made on the display 110. A display screen is displayed (step S7).

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 4, the detailed setting display screen 250 is a screen that displays the details of the print settings of the print job selected from the list on the list screen 200 of FIG. . When the detailed setting display screen 250 is displayed on the display 110, the mode relating to the processing or operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 becomes the change mode. In this change mode, for the print job displayed on the detailed setting display screen 250, a change in the details of the detailed setting can be accepted by a touch operation on the detailed setting display screen 250 or the like.

  In the detailed setting display screen 250, the printable area (image position adjustment) of the recording paper used when executing the print job and performing the printing process, the contents of the print settings such as the paper tray of the recording paper used for printing, the print density, etc. The change can be accepted by a touch operation. The received change contents of the print setting are reflected in the display of the detailed setting display screen 250. Here, when the save button 260 at the upper right is touch-operated, the received change of the print setting is overwritten and saved in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 90 confirms whether or not the save button 260 (see FIG. 4) on the detailed setting display screen 250 has been touched (pressed) (step S9). If the save button 260 is touched (pressed) (YES in step S9), a process of saving the print setting change received on the detailed setting display screen 250 is executed, and the received print setting change is displayed. The data is overwritten and saved in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93 (step S11).

  If the save button 260 has not been touched (NO in step S9), the CPU 90 operates the print button 270 on the upper right of the detailed setting display screen 250 shown in FIG. It is confirmed whether or not a print key (not shown) provided on the panel unit has been operated (step S13). If not operated (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S27 described later.

  If the print button 270 or a print key (not shown) is operated (YES in step S13), the detailed setting display screen 250 currently displayed on the display 110 is closed (step S15), and the closed detailed setting display screen is displayed. A print job corresponding to 250 (print processing) is executed with the contents of the print settings displayed on the closed detailed setting display screen 250 (step S17).

  Then, during printing of the print job (printing process), a printing screen is displayed on the display 110 (step S19). As shown in FIG. 5, the printing in progress screen 300 is a screen that displays the contents of the print settings of the print job being executed and the progress status of the print processing. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, after the executed printing (printing process) is completed (YES in step S21), the CPU 90 determines whether or not the print job selected on the list on the list screen 200 still remains. Confirm (step S23).

  If the selected print job does not remain (NO in step S23), the series of processing ends. Therefore, if there is only one print job selected in step S1, NO is determined in step S23, and the series of processing is ended, so that the operation in the normal mode described above is performed. On the other hand, if the selected print job remains (YES in step S23), the detailed setting display screen 250 of the next selected print job is displayed on the display 110 (step S25), and the process returns to step S9. Therefore, if there are a plurality of print jobs selected in step S1, YES is determined in step S23, and the processing in step S25 is executed, so that the sequential mode operation described above is performed.

  The detailed setting display screen 250 of the next print job to be displayed on the display 110 in step S25 is displayed on the list screen 200 when all print jobs are selected using the all selection button 210 on the list screen 200 (see FIG. 3). The detailed setting display screen 250 corresponding to the print job in the next order (normal order) in the list is displayed.

  However, when all the print jobs in the print job list screen 200 stored in the “end” area are selected by the selection button 210, the list in the list screen 200 is exceptionally arranged in the previous order (reverse order). The detailed setting display screen 250 corresponding to the print job is displayed. This is different from the print job list screen 200 stored in an area other than “End”, such as “Box”, in which the print job list screen 200 stored in the “End” area is time-series. This is because the print jobs are listed in the newest order.

  When a plurality of print jobs are selected by touching the print job names on the list of the list screen 200, the detailed setting display screen 250 for the next print job displayed on the display 110 in step S25 is displayed in the selected order. The detailed setting display screen 250 corresponding to the print job in the next order is displayed.

  In step S <b> 27, the process proceeds to step S <b> 27 when the print button 270 or the print key (not shown) is not operated (NO) in step S <b> 13, the CPU 90 performs a touch operation on the close button 280 on the upper right of the detailed setting display screen 250 shown in FIG. Confirm that it has been pressed. If the close button 280 has not been touched (pressed) (NO in step S27), the process proceeds to step S39 described later.

  If the close button 280 is touched (YES in step S27), the CPU 90 checks whether or not the print job selected on the list on the list screen 200 still remains (step S29). If the selected print job does not remain (NO in step S29), the process proceeds to step S39 described later. If the selected print job remains (YES in step S29), a screen close confirmation screen is displayed on the display 110 (step S31).

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 6, the screen close confirmation screen 350 closes only the detailed setting display screen 250 of the print job currently displayed on the display 110, or after this detailed setting display screen 250. This is a screen for confirming whether to close the entire screen including the detailed setting display screen 250 to be displayed later.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 90 confirms whether or not the button 360 for closing only this screen on the screen close confirmation screen 350 has been touched (pressed). If the button 360 for closing only this screen is touched (YES in step S33), only the detailed setting display screen 250 for the print job currently displayed on the display 110 is closed (step S35), and then the process goes to step S23. Migrate processing.

  If the button 360 for closing only this screen has not been touched (NO in step S33), the CPU 90 determines whether or not the button 370 for closing the entire screen of the screen close confirmation screen 350 has been touched (pressed). Confirm (step S37). When the close button 370 for closing the full screen is touched (YES in step S37), the detailed setting display screen 250 for the print job currently displayed on the display 110 and the detailed setting display to be displayed next and thereafter are displayed. After all the screens 250 are closed (step S39), a series of processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the close button 370 for closing the entire screen has not been touched (NO in step S37), it is confirmed whether or not the cancel button 380 on the screen close confirmation screen 350 has been touched (pressed) (step S38). If the cancel button 380 is not touched (NO in step S38), the process returns to step S33. If the cancel button 380 is touched (YES in step S38), the process returns to step S9.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, step S1 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is processing corresponding to selection means (selection step) in the claims. In the present embodiment, step S23 and step S29 in FIG. 2 (when both are YES) are processing corresponding to the mode transition means in the claims. Furthermore, in this embodiment, step S25 in FIG. 2 is a process corresponding to the changing means in the claims.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, step S9 (YES) and step S11 in FIG. 2 are the processes corresponding to the update means in a claim. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the processing from step S13 (YES) to step S17 in FIG. 2 is processing corresponding to the output means in the claims.

  Although the detailed procedure has not been described in the flowchart of FIG. 2 described above, for example, when a plurality of print jobs are selected on the list screen 200 of FIG. 3, the print button 240 on the list screen 200 or not shown. When a print key (not shown) is operated, printing of a plurality of print jobs (print processing) is sequentially executed. At this time, the printing screen 300 shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the print job currently being printed is displayed on the display 110.

  When printing of one print job is completed, if there is a print job waiting for the next print, the display 110 is switched to the printing screen 300 of the next print job to be printed. If there is no print job waiting for the next print and there is a print job in which the raster data of the document image is being developed in the frame memory area of the RAM 92, as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. The display 110 is switched to a developing screen 400. If there is only a print job waiting for development but no print job being developed, the display 110 is displayed on a standby screen (not shown) in which the title at the upper left of the development screen 400 in FIG. The display changes.

  When the close button 310, 410 on the upper right of the printing screen 300, the developing screen 400, or the standby screen (not shown) is touched, the display on the display 110 is switched to the screen closing confirmation screen 350 in FIG. When the cancel button 380 is touched, the display on the display 110 returns to the screen before switching to the screen close confirmation screen 350. On the other hand, when the close button 360 for closing only this screen or the close button 370 for closing the entire screen is touched, the display 110 is switched to the print pause screen 450 shown in FIG.

  When the setting change button 460 on the print pause screen 450 is touched, the display 110 is switched to the detailed setting display screen 250 in FIG. 4 and the print settings of the print job for which printing is paused can be changed. Note that by touching the print button 270 on the detailed setting display screen 250, printing of the temporarily stopped print job can be resumed.

  When the continuation button 470 of the print pause screen 450 is touched, the printing screen 300 or the development screen 400 before the display 110 is switched to the print pause screen 450 or the screen close confirmation screen 350, Return to the standby screen (not shown).

  Furthermore, when a stop button 480 on the print pause screen 450 or a stop key (not shown) provided on an operation panel (not shown) in the vicinity of the display 110 is operated, the display on the display 110 is displayed as shown in FIG. The job deletion confirmation screen 500 is displayed. When the No button 510 on the job deletion confirmation screen 500 is touched, the display 110 returns to the print pause screen 450. When the Yes button 520 on the job deletion confirmation screen 500 is touched, the temporarily stopped print job is deleted, and the display on the display 110 returns to the screen close confirmation screen 350 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, even if a plurality of print jobs are selected on the list screen 200 displayed on the display 110, the detailed setting display screen for designating the change contents of the print settings of the print job. 250 is configured to sequentially switch one print job at a time and display it on the display 110.

  For this reason, on the list of the list screen 200, an operation for selecting the print job whose print settings are to be changed one by one and designating the change of the print settings of the selected print job is performed. The print setting contents can be changed individually for a plurality of print jobs in a simple procedure without performing a troublesome operation of repeating the number of print jobs.

  In addition, you can specify each area of “Processing”, “Waiting for instructions”, “End”, and “Box”, so you can print multiple print jobs in units of print jobs that are distributed and stored in each area. The setting contents can be changed individually for each print job. In addition, since the order of print jobs that specify the change of print settings can be determined by region, specify the change of print settings when the storage order of print jobs differs for each region. It is possible to unify the order of print jobs to be performed in a regular order (time series order, old order, etc., the order in which the administrator faces).

  Further, if the print button 270 or a print key (not shown) is operated before touching the save button 260 on the detailed setting display screen 250, the change contents of the print setting received on the detailed setting display screen 250 are displayed. The changed print settings can be reflected in printing on a recording sheet (print processing) without being overwritten and saved in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detailed setting display screen 250 (see FIG. 4) of the selected print job whose order is the earliest is displayed on the display 110. However, a hardware provided in an operation panel unit (not shown). Using the scroll keys by keys or the scroll keys on the screen displayed on the display 110 (both not shown), the detailed setting display screen 250 of the selected print job in the next and subsequent order is sequentially displayed on the display 110. You may make it make it.

  In such a configuration, a plurality of detailed setting display screens 250 corresponding to the selected print job are displayed on the display 110 (for example, overlapped), and the print settings of the plurality of print jobs can be changed while switching the screens. . Therefore, when the save button 260 is touched on the detailed setting display screen 250 of a certain print job, the print setting change confirmation screen 550 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display 110 to save the print setting change. May be selected.

  Specifically, when only the setting change of this screen on the print setting change confirmation screen 550 is touch-operated, only the print job corresponding to the detailed setting display screen 250 currently displayed on the display 110 is displayed. The print setting is overwritten and saved in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93. In addition, when the save button 570 is touched to save the setting change of the entire screen, the print settings of all the print jobs corresponding to all the detailed setting display screens 250 that can be switched and displayed on the display 110 by the operation of the scroll key. The data is overwritten and saved in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the print settings of a plurality of print jobs are individually changed by operating the display 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, but for example, a plurality of print jobs can be changed on the client terminal 14 side. A configuration in which the print settings can be individually changed can also be adopted.

  Therefore, a procedure of processing performed by the CPU 16 of the client terminal 14 according to the program of the ROM 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 16 displays a job list display screen on the output unit 20 using a browser on the assumption that the display of the print job list screen is requested by operating the input unit 19 of the client terminal 14 (step S101).

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen displayed on the output unit 20 of the client terminal 14 using a browser. A job list screen of the present embodiment indicated by reference numeral 600 in FIG. 12 is a screen that displays a list of print jobs stored in the “box” area of the RAM 92 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 or the external storage device 93.

  The list information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs on the job list screen 600 is a request output to the CPU 90 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 by performing a display request for the job list screen 600 by operating the input unit 19 or the like. Required by signal. Then, in response to this request signal, the CPU 90 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 generates list information from the stored contents of the print job read from the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93, and is input to the CPU 16 of the client terminal 14 under the control of the CPU 90. The

  One or a plurality of print jobs on the list of the job list screen 600 can be selected by checking a check box next to the print job name with a mouse (not shown) of the input unit 19 or the like. When one or more print jobs on the list are selected, the selected print job names on the list are colored.

  The print job displayed in the list can be displayed in the RAM 92 or the external storage device 93 by clicking the tabs 601 to 604 of “processing”, “waiting for instruction”, “end”, and “box” on the job list screen 600. The contents of the print job stored in the corresponding area can be switched. The print jobs displayed in the list on the job list screen 600 can be scrolled by operating the scroll buttons 605 to 608 on the lower right of the job list screen 600.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 16 validates the text link of the detail display button 610 above the job list screen 600 in a state where one or more print jobs on the list of the job list screen 600 are selected. To do. Therefore, when the detail display button 610 is clicked, the CPU 16 switches the display screen by the browser of the output unit 20 to the job detail display screen (step S3).

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 13, the job details display screen 650 is a screen that displays the details of the print settings of the print job selected from the list in the job list screen 600 of FIG. is there. The display content of the job detail display screen 650 basically includes the display content of the detailed setting display screen 250 displayed on the display 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 described with reference to FIG. .

  On the job detail display screen 650, the printable area (image position adjustment) of the recording paper used when executing the print job and performing the printing process, the contents of the print settings such as the paper tray of the recording paper used for printing, the print density, etc. Can be changed and input by operating a pull-down menu or an increase / decrease button. The job detail display screen 650 also includes a delete button 660 for deleting a print job, a print button 670 for executing a print job and printing (print processing), and an OK for confirming a change in print setting contents. A button 680 and a cancel button 690 for canceling the change of the print setting contents are provided.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the delete button 660 of the job detail display screen 650 is clicked, the CPU 16 switches the display screen by the browser of the output unit 20 to the job deletion confirmation screen (step S105).

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 14, the job deletion confirmation screen 700 is a screen for confirming whether or not the print job corresponding to the job detail display screen 650 of FIG. 13 can be deleted. On the job deletion confirmation screen 700, an OK button 710 for permitting deletion and a cancel button 720 for canceling deletion are displayed together with a message “Do you want to execute the deletion instruction? Are you sure?”.

  When the cancel button 720 on the job deletion confirmation screen 700 is clicked, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 16 returns to step S103. When the OK button 710 on the job deletion confirmation screen 700 is clicked, the CPU 16 switches the display screen by the browser of the output unit 20 to a completion screen (step S107).

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 15, an OK button 760 is displayed on the completion screen 750 together with a message indicating the content of the completed processing. Note that the message displayed on the completion screen 750 in this scene is a message indicating that the print job deletion instruction permitted on the job deletion confirmation screen 700 in FIG. 14 has been transmitted to the CPU 90 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. It will be the content that says.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the OK button 760 on the completion screen 750 is clicked, the CPU 16 confirms whether or not the print job selected on the list on the job list screen 600 still remains (step). S109).

  If the selected print job does not remain (NO in step S109), the process returns to step S101. If the selected print job remains (YES in step S109), the job details display of the next selected print job is displayed. In order to display the screen 650 on the display 110, the process substantially returns to step S103.

  Note that the CPU 16 also proceeds to step S109 when the cancel button 690 on the job detail display screen 650 is clicked. In addition, when the print button 670 on the job detail display screen 650 is clicked, the CPU 16 transmits the print setting change content and the print job displayed on the job detail display screen 650 to the CPU 90 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. . And the display screen by the browser of the output part 20 is switched to the completion screen 750 of FIG.

  The message displayed on the completion screen 750 in this scene is “Send print job” indicating that the print setting change contents and the print job displayed on the job detail display screen 650 are transmitted to the CPU 90 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. It will be the content that says.

  Further, when the OK button 680 on the job detail display screen 650 is clicked, the CPU 16 transmits the change contents of the print setting displayed on the job detail display screen 650 to the CPU 90 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. And the display screen by the browser of the output part 20 is switched to the completion screen 750 of FIG.

  The message displayed on the completion screen 750 in this scene indicates that “the print setting change has been sent to the CPU 90 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 indicating that the print setting change displayed on the job detail display screen 650 has been transmitted. "

  As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the procedure for selecting a print job on the list of the job list screen 600 displayed on the output unit 20 in step S101 in the flowchart of FIG. It will correspond to. Further, in the present embodiment, step S109 (in the case of YES) in FIG. 11 is processing corresponding to the mode transition means in the claims.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when YES is obtained in step S109 in FIG. 11, the procedure for substantially returning to step S103 corresponds to the changing means in the claims. In the present embodiment, the procedure for clicking the OK button 680 on the job detail display screen 650 displayed on the output unit 20 in step S103 in FIG. 11 corresponds to the updating means in the claims. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the procedure for clicking the print button 670 on the job detail display screen 650 displayed on the output unit 20 in step S103 in FIG. 11 corresponds to the output means in the claims.

  Even with this configuration, as described in the previous embodiment, the operation of individually changing the print settings of a plurality of selected print jobs is repeated by the number of print jobs whose print settings are to be changed. This can be done in a simple procedure without the troublesome operation.

  Note that the print job for which the contents of the print settings are to be changed as in the above-described embodiment may be a print job stored in the memory in order to perform print processing from now on. Or a print job stored in the memory.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that prints a document image by the inkjet method and the client terminal 14 connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet system, and can be widely applied to printers using systems other than the ink jet system such as an electrophotographic system and a stencil printing system, and client terminals connected to the printer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 10 Control unit 11 External interface part 14 Client terminal 15 External interface part 16 CPU
17 ROM
18 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Input part 20 Output part 21 External storage device 22 Disk drive 50 Disk-shaped recording medium 90 CPU
91 ROM
92 RAM
93 External storage device 101 Scanner unit 102 Printer unit 110 Display 200 List screen 205, 206 Scroll button 210 Selection button 220 Delete button 230 Detailed display button 240 Print button 250 Detailed setting display screen 260 Save button 270 Print button 280 Close button 300 Printing Screen 310, 410 Close button 350 Screen close confirmation screen 360 Button to close only this screen 370 Button to close all screens 380 Cancel button 400 Expanding screen 450 Print pause screen 460 Setting change button 470 Continue button 480 Cancel button 500 Job deletion confirmation Screen 510 No button 520 Yes button 550 Print setting change save confirmation screen 560 Save setting change only button on this screen 570 Save setting change of all screens 600 Job list screen 601 “Processing” tab 602 “Waiting for instruction” tab 603 “Exit” tab 604 “Box” tab 605 to 608 Scroll button 610 Detail display button 650 Job detail display screen 660 Delete button 670 Print button 680 OK button 690 Cancel button 700 Job deletion confirmation screen 710 OK button 720 Cancel button 750 Completion screen 760 OK button LAN Local area network S Recording paper

Claims (3)

In a print job management method for accepting a change in the print settings of a print job stored in memory,
A selection step of selecting a print job to change the contents of the print settings from the print jobs stored in the memory;
When a plurality of print jobs are selected in the selection step, the reception target print job is changed from the normal mode in which the reception target print job that receives the change of the print setting content is the print job selected in the selection step. A mode switching step for switching to a sequential mode for sequentially switching to a plurality of individual print jobs selected in the selection step;
A print job management method. In a print job management device that accepts changes to the print settings of a print job stored in memory,
Selecting means for selecting a print job to be changed in content of the print setting from print jobs stored in the memory;
When a plurality of print jobs are selected by the selection unit, the reception target print job is changed from the normal mode in which the reception target print job that receives the change of the print setting content is the print job selected by the selection unit. Mode transition means for shifting to a sequential mode for sequentially switching to individual print jobs selected by the selection means;
In the sequential mode, each time the acceptance of the change in the contents of the print setting is finished, the print job to be accepted is changed from one print job selected by the selection unit to another print job. Change means to change;
A print job management apparatus comprising:   The memory has a plurality of areas for storing the print jobs, and the selection unit is configured to be able to specify a target area for selecting a print job from the plurality of areas of the memory. 3. The print job management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means determines a print job as a transfer destination in a priority order predetermined for each area designated by the selection means.

Images